PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
It was not really smoky, but a bit hazy. Maybe from the smoke from far away wildfires going on now.
Jasper was a lot of fun. In fact the whole of my visit to Canada has been a blast.
USA-CAN-USA, July 2017 (16 US states and 4 Canadian provinces)
- Thread starter PetitFrereArmada
- Start date
It was not really smoky, but a bit hazy. Maybe from the smoke from far away wildfires going on now.
Jasper was a lot of fun. In fact the whole of my visit to Canada has been a blast.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Yesterday, I drove 9 hours drom Jasper to Vancouver. Checked into hotel and was in a oretty bad area in town. Parked my car in a parking lot where tons of giys were sitting smoking weed, drinking, talking and just looked like they were up to no good. Some of the guys had flashy cars and a few very old cars. 4th at combination scared me. I asked to check out of hotel and the lady said sorry, you already checked in so you will lose your $98CAD. I tried to negotiate, she said nope.
So, we checked out of hotel and decided to call it quits for Canada. And we drove 3 hours to Seattle, AS. Back into the US.
We got to the border. US border patrol had some questions for us.
We drove up to the window. Hand over our passport.
Border Patrol: Is this car from Texas?
Me: Yes
BP: Where was your port of entry into Canada?
Me: Winnipeg
BP: How long did you spend in Canada? And why returning into the US through this border?
Me: We are on a road trip and driving across some provinces in Canada and the US. (I listed them)
BP: What did you bring from Canada?
Me: Medication, cookies, chocolate and Jerry Cans.
BP: Do you have gas in the Jerry Cans?
Me: No.
BP: That is good. Welcome back.
He handed over our passports and we drove into the US and into Washington state.
So, we checked out of hotel and decided to call it quits for Canada. And we drove 3 hours to Seattle, AS. Back into the US.
We got to the border. US border patrol had some questions for us.
We drove up to the window. Hand over our passport.
Border Patrol: Is this car from Texas?
Me: Yes
BP: Where was your port of entry into Canada?
Me: Winnipeg
BP: How long did you spend in Canada? And why returning into the US through this border?
Me: We are on a road trip and driving across some provinces in Canada and the US. (I listed them)
BP: What did you bring from Canada?
Me: Medication, cookies, chocolate and Jerry Cans.
BP: Do you have gas in the Jerry Cans?
Me: No.
BP: That is good. Welcome back.
He handed over our passports and we drove into the US and into Washington state.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Seattle, Washington today
Pike Market Center
First established Starbucks. The line here is unbelievable. Most people in line are here to buy the original Starbucks cup that costs $19.99
The famous bubble gum wall here at the Farmer's market
Space Needle
Singing flowers
Armory
Pike Market Center
First established Starbucks. The line here is unbelievable. Most people in line are here to buy the original Starbucks cup that costs $19.99
The famous bubble gum wall here at the Farmer's market
Space Needle
Singing flowers
Armory
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Who would have known there would be a political rally here at the Farmer's Market in Seattle? But the cops have been exceptional in keeping law and order here. Great distractions as everybody flooded to the side streets to watch this and express their different opinions.
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molanginaeda
Observer
@PetitFrereArmada This is Alfred. Nice to meet you. It's been a busy trip for me and I didn't get a chance to post. I hope you have a safe travel for the rest of your trip.
We are just taking a easy route back from Alberta using trans Canada highway.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
We are just taking a easy route back from Alberta using trans Canada highway.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
It was really nice meeting you and family. I hope you guys finally made it home safe and sound. We are still on the road. Long way to home.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Got to Oregon today. Went straight to Multinomah Falls. Lots of traffic at the fall.
The fall is truly amazing. Packed with tons of people all there to take in its beauty. And weather was just perfect.
Went out this evening to try Portland's famous VOODO donuts. So many choices and a ton of sugar on them. People love them. We got 3.
The fall is truly amazing. Packed with tons of people all there to take in its beauty. And weather was just perfect.
Went out this evening to try Portland's famous VOODO donuts. So many choices and a ton of sugar on them. People love them. We got 3.
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molanginaeda
Observer
Just got home this morning. Everyone is tired and will try to recoup over the next few days. As mention, I build my itinerary while travelling. We are able to visit 3 more National Parks and several provincial park on our way using the TransCanada Highway. Beside the wide, flat yellow field (I asked what is the yellowish plant. It's Canola), the highway is just flat-out boring. But the scenery is more interested in Manitoba and Ontario.
BTW, the ice cream was a hit on our trip. It's a special ice cream only found in Canada. It's Kit Kat Ice Cream.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Just got home this morning. Everyone is tired and will try to recoup over the next few days. As mention, I build my itinerary while travelling. We are able to visit 3 more National Parks and several provincial park on our way using the TransCanada Highway. Beside the wide, flat yellow field (I asked what is the yellowish plant. It's Canola), the highway is just flat-out boring. But the scenery is more interested in Manitoba and Ontario.
BTW, the ice cream was a hit on our trip. It's a special ice cream only found in Canada. It's Kit Kat Ice Cream.
Glad you guys made it home safe and sound. I see you guys stayed busy on your trip back visiting more parks. That sounds good. Very interesting the way you have your schedule planned out. Make plans as you go. As for me, I try to always plan it all out before I leave on the trip. And make changes only if something happens to derail the original plan.
I agree with you. Highway 1 can get boring.
As for the ice cream, that was a good flavor indeed. I enjoyed it. I wonder why we do not have that in the US. I mean, I know we do not have kinder eggs in the US because of choking hazards. But why don't we have kit Kat ice cream? I will keep an eye out for that to see if we have that flavor in my area.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Great trip and pics. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me how beautiful my country is
The deposit for Bottles is a legislation in Alberta. As for gas yes we pay a lot more than you guys as it includes all kinds of taxes including a carbon tax in some provinces.
Without a doubt, Canada is very beautiful. And the Rockies..., marvelous. But hey, come across the border to the US and we will wow you too with our natural treasures also. I promise.
As for the cost of the water bottles, I was shocked. I mean, a 40 pack of water that costs $3.49 at the store turned out to be $9 at checkout. I was truly shocked. But I later understood when a stranger explained it well to me.
Yeah, gas prices just killed me in Canada with this gas guzzler. At one point I put pure gas which was 94 Octane and my suv was as responsive as a race car. My suv did love that gas. But the price was no joke. But I remember getting it because I wanted to put pure gas when the attendant explained that it was pure gas, no ethanol in it. And I was impressed with my performance. Slight touch on gas pedal and it will take OFF.
I am back in the US now and getting a bit better price now for gas.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Drove 9 hours today from Portland, OR to a small tiny city called Jackpot, NV at the border of Idaho/Nevada.
Driving on I-84 in Oregon was a bit boring. But seemed the whole journey was just next the Columbia river. Which was a nice sight to be seeing.
Then got into Idaho. The speed limit increased to 80 and it seems everybody was racing to get home or win a price. Minivans, 4 cylinder vehicles and 18wheelers. You could not tell who is faster than who. Posted speed limit 80, but calculated average speed limit on the road that people were maintaining was 90. And sure enough each police car I saw had someone pulled over.
It was a nice drive, but Idaho has nothing I could stop to see. Just vast lands on each side of the freeway with tons of bails of hay all stacked up on these lands ready for pickup.
I finally got to my destination for today: Jackpot, NV. Checked into my hotel which has a Casino attached to it. Had a buffet dinner and gambled a bit. Lost and won my money back and when I was $1 ahead, I quit playing. The casino is 80% full of seniors. Eating and playing the machines.
Driving on I-84 in Idaho
Driving on I-84 in Oregon was a bit boring. But seemed the whole journey was just next the Columbia river. Which was a nice sight to be seeing.
Then got into Idaho. The speed limit increased to 80 and it seems everybody was racing to get home or win a price. Minivans, 4 cylinder vehicles and 18wheelers. You could not tell who is faster than who. Posted speed limit 80, but calculated average speed limit on the road that people were maintaining was 90. And sure enough each police car I saw had someone pulled over.
It was a nice drive, but Idaho has nothing I could stop to see. Just vast lands on each side of the freeway with tons of bails of hay all stacked up on these lands ready for pickup.
I finally got to my destination for today: Jackpot, NV. Checked into my hotel which has a Casino attached to it. Had a buffet dinner and gambled a bit. Lost and won my money back and when I was $1 ahead, I quit playing. The casino is 80% full of seniors. Eating and playing the machines.
Driving on I-84 in Idaho
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unkamonkey
Explorer
Sometimes speed limits in those areas are mere suggestions. My neighbor was crossing MT doing around 90MPH in his Excursion and saw a headlight in the mirror. A BMW bike passed him doing well over 130 MPH. We were out years ago and we were leaving Rock Springs WY and the speed limit was still 55 MPH. We still were doing 70 and the state patrol officer passed us like we were standing still. Never even looked at us. Some states, you just need to travel fast through.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Very funny to hear you were doing 70 when the speed limit was 55 and the cop passed you up. That cop mist have been reporting to a crime scene.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Today drove 8 hours from Jackpot, NV to Moab, IT.
When I got into Utah, I couldn't help but notice this white thing on both sides of the freeway. Giving an illusion of snow. Is this salt? Anybody knows? On I-80 from NV/UT border, driving towards Salt Lake City, UT.
Stopped in Springsville, UT to see a forum member and give him a package I promised.
Got to Moab, checked into hotel and headed out straight for Arches National Park. It was quite busy for being 4pm.
Famous Delicate Arch. The temperature was 108 to 113. Hiking in the park was no joke. Park rangers were making sure people stayed hydrated.hikers were sweating!
When I got into Utah, I couldn't help but notice this white thing on both sides of the freeway. Giving an illusion of snow. Is this salt? Anybody knows? On I-80 from NV/UT border, driving towards Salt Lake City, UT.
Stopped in Springsville, UT to see a forum member and give him a package I promised.
Got to Moab, checked into hotel and headed out straight for Arches National Park. It was quite busy for being 4pm.
Famous Delicate Arch. The temperature was 108 to 113. Hiking in the park was no joke. Park rangers were making sure people stayed hydrated.hikers were sweating!
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